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Northern Ireland has a heritage of textile manufacturing and shipbuilding, and boasts some of the most spectacular natural wonders found anywhere in the UK. There are many reasons to love living here, and if you’re considering making application to study a degree here, our student guide will tell you all you need to know about the various aspects of student life. We’ll cover where to live, what to do, how to get around, what to expect, and how much it might cost. There’s plenty to discover, and we’ll share our top tips for getting the most out of this remarkable region.
- Student activities in Northern Ireland
- Nightlife in Northern Ireland
- Student accommodation in Northern Ireland
- Transport in Northern Ireland
- Student costs in Northern Ireland
- What Northern Ireland is known for
- Universities in Northern Ireland
Read our 18 reasons to study in Northern Ireland.
Student activities in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has a lot to discover, much of which can be easily explored on a student-friendly budget. The region is known for its rolling hills, sandy beaches and is home to several unique natural wonders.
While there is certainly plenty of places to visit in Northern Ireland, you’ll also find loads of activities and entertainment closer to home. Your university will organise a range of clubs and societies which you can often join for a low price, and these are a great way to meet new people, try a new sport, learn a new skill or language, or just hang out with like-minded students. Typically, there'll be a student bar where you can meet for a pint or two, and enjoy events such as quiz nights, open mic comedy and live music.
Northern Ireland is a keen sporting region and, in addition to popular games like rugby and football, there are traditional sports which can only be found in Ireland such as hurling and Gaelic football. Take the opportunity to try a taster session and immerse in the region’s tradition, or attend a local fixture and see how the pros do it.
Read our list of the top 10 student things to do in Northern Ireland.
Nightlife in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland offers a great night out. In any of the nation's uni towns you'll find a range landscape of pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants. Belfast, the capital, generally offers more choice but is slightly more expensive than its neighbour Derry~Londonderry, although both provide a good range of options.
You’ll likely have a student bar on your university campus and this is a great place to start your night. Derry~Londonderry has a high student population in comparison to the city’s residents, and so there are many venues and events which are geared towards students, both in terms of budget and entertainment. A three-course dinner for two only costs £40, and the average cost of a pint of beer is only £4.25, so it’s easy to have a night on the town without breaking the bank.
Belfast has a comprehensive blend of modern and traditional venues, with new trendy eateries popping up every season, and some beloved pubs dating back to the 17th century! A pint here will set you back a little over £5 on average, but you’ll have a fantastic range of places to choose from. In general, prices are still lower than England, and if you keep an eye out for weekly student nights, you’ll find drinks deals and discounted entry to clubs and dance floors across town.
Student accommodation in Northern Ireland
There are two universities in Northern Ireland: Queen’s University Belfast, and Ulster University. Each of these institutions provide low-cost, high-convenience housing for first year students in university-owned halls of residence buildings located a short distance from campus.
The many benefits of staying in halls for your first year include a package accommodation deal which typically includes all your bills, internet and contents insurance, with on-site laundry facilities and a security team. Additionally, rental contracts are the same length as your term dates, so you won’t be paying for a room you aren’t using if you choose to go back home, or travel elsewhere during the summer break.
Compared to other nations in the UK, Northern Ireland is more affordably priced for halls of residence living. At Queens University Belfast, a single bedroom costs just £95 per week, and entire studio apartments are also available, starting at just £165 per week. All rooms are self-catered. At Ulster University, rooms are similarly priced, starting at just £97 per week, although there are three campuses located across Northern Ireland.
Renting in Belfast and Derry~Londonderry is also fairly cheap when compared to the rest of Ireland and the UK. A one-bedroom apartment in Belfast city centre is priced at £870 per month on average, and in Derry~Londonderry its about 30% cheaper at an average of £600. This difference becomes more pronounced when you look at three bedroom apartments – the Belfast average is £1,400 per month, whereas Londonderry costs almost 50% less at only £750 per month. That’s a staggeringly low £250 per person, per month for city-centre living!
Transport in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is a large, coastal nation which has a number of different transport systems including rail, road and sea. The best way to get around locally is usually by bus. In Derry~Londonderry, a single journey ticket costs just £2, and in Belfast it’s slightly more expensive at £2.55. You may find that it makes sense to buy a monthly travel pass, especially if you’re using the service daily. These give you the benefit of unlimited travel, and costs £42 and £58 in Londonderry and Belfast respectively – that’s less than £2 per day. Don’t forget, you can save a further 1/3 on these prices by using your student status which makes getting around town extremely cost-effective and convenient.
Depending on your circumstances, you might be keen to cycle instead. Cycling can be a faster and more effective way of commuting to uni, once you get to know your route, and has the additional benefit of being absolutely free, with daily cardio fitness and a lower environmental impact.
Student costs in Northern Ireland
A recent UK survey reported that the average weekly groceries expenditure for students came in at £24. Cities like Belfast and Derry~Londonderry have great restaurants, and a fantastic range of local and international cuisines, so you’ll definitely want to sample some of these eateries during your studies.
Assuming that in an average week you may eat out two or three times, and with inexpensive meals in Derry~Londonderry and Belfast costing £12 and £15 respectively, then as a rule of thumb you’ll need to budget somewhere between £250 - £300 per month on food.
This may sound intimidating but with a bit of planning, there are many ways to save a few pennies. Bulk buying non-perishable items at wholesale prices is a good place to start, and you can also seek out low-cost supermarkets where there are better deals to be found.
Keep a small cash reserve in case of unforeseen course-related costs. Depending on your course, you may need to purchase books or additional reading materials, art supplies, or printing and photocopying credits. It’s easy to do, and feels good to be prepared.
Read our detailed cost breakdown for students in Northern Ireland.
What Northern Ireland is known for
The world-famous Giant’s Causeway is one of Northern Ireland’s top attractions, featuring towering basalt hexagonal columns which look like they’ve been carved by ancient civilisations. Giant’s Causeway attracts over 300,000 tourists annually and is a little over an hour’s drive from Belfast.
Universities in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland’s two universities are Queen’s University Belfast, and Ulster University.
Queen's University Belfast is an elite Russell Group institution, established in 1845, which today has a strong research culture including investigations into cancer, sustainability, wireless technology, creative writing, pharmaceuticals, and sonic arts.
Ulster University is a large, multi-campus institution with a strong focus on vocational study. It boasts one of the highest graduate employment rates anywhere the UK, with over 92% of its graduates in work or further study within six months of completing their course.
If either or both of these universities sounds appealing then we’d firmly suggest going to see them in person. There are several open days throughout the year (which you can book right here on Whatuni), where you can explore the facilities and speak with staff and current students to really get a feel for the place.
Find out which of Northern Ireland's unis ranked top in things that matter to students.
